Hi, If what you mean is doing the work according the the phase of the moon, that I most definately adhere to as much as possible. Watering requirements are much stricter during the rising moon (waxing phase, the moon is getting bigger) than they are during the wanning phase.

I plant most seeds on the new moon (the end of the wanning phase),but repotting or transplanting I like to do after the full moon as the strength of the moon is wanning. This gives the trees a bit of rest during the wanning phase.

The life force of the tree is in the water or fluids, sap, whatever you call it. The moon pulls the fluids up into the trunk and branches during the waxing phase and gravity does its magic during the wanning phase, returning the life force to the roots.

Where the water is in the tree will have a profound effect on the result of trimming and prunning. A branch prunned during the waxing phase will be weakened, you are removing a portion of the life force, it will bleed more and take longer to heal and begin to produce shoots again.

During the wanning phase, when the life force of the tree is in the root, the branch will respond with new growth on the beginning of the next waxing cycle (new moon), there will be less bleed if any and the cut end will dry and heal quicker because the water is in the root, not in the branch.

Rick. That is exactly the answer I was looking for. It all makes perfect sense. I have seen the difference it makes in my veggies when planted 1 week apart on a good and bad moon. No reason why it will be any different with trees and bonsai trees. Thank you for the interesting response...Freddie

RKatzin wrote:The life force of the tree is in the water or fluids, sap, whatever you call it. The moon pulls the fluids up into the trunk and branches during the waxing phase and gravity does its magic during the wanning phase, returning the life force to the roots.

fredman1 wrote:That is exactly the answer I was looking for. It all makes perfect sense.

Waiting for the right moon phase does make sense, however, I have to schedule my "tree time" around my "job time", so planting-by-the-moon-time must take a back seat; I am intrigued with the idea. I do use the moon light to gain a different perspective when viewing my trees. Often, I have an inspiration while at work, and come home in the dark. I will go outside and look among the trees to make sure everything is all right. In bright moon light, I am able to see "negative space" on some of them more clearly, their silhouette is somehow more pronounced. They sometimes glow because (I believe) all things give off an aura which is easier to see in the dark. Great topic:;;;-):

Carving walking sticks is one of my hobbies. I always collect fresh cut sticks to carve. Green sticks cut during the waxing phase (when the water is in the wood) will split and check and twist. Sticks cut during the wanning phase (when the wood is dry) will cure straight and true, with no checking.

Weeding is done during the dark of the moon. Weeds will slip out of the ground with roots intact. As the moon pulls on the water the roots dig in and work hard, both to keep the plant in the ground and to keep the plant hydrated. Collecting trees during the dark phase is much easier because the whole tree is relaxed.

Dig post holes during the dark phase, but set your posts during the waxing phase. Gather root crops during the wanning phase. They just come out of the ground easier with less damage.

I know you can't always wait for the perfect time to do work, I do what I have to do when it needs to be done, but I always check the moon to see what kind of effect there will be. I try to schedule work accordingly, try not to dig a tree on the full moon (it will most certainly die). Sometime you can't wait, but you know what to expect. The moon is full, so the ground will be hard and tight and we're going to need a bit more caution on the dig and alot more aftercare attention to pull the tree through.

I am one of those people referred to as a 'moon child'. This means that when I was born the full moon was on the horizon. This will override the sun and stars in your astrological makeup. I have always been hyper-sensitive to the moons effects and yeah, I get a bit crazy when it's full, but it keeps me from going insane. LOL

Well, have at it if you like; I'm not going to say otherwise but those of us (or at least me) who have worked as and with scientists for most of our lives have a bit of difficulty assigning mystical astrological properties to our large satellite.

There is NO doubt that the moon has a powerful influence upon the earth. It also holds an important place in the mythology and folklore of the human race. Tides, the axial tilt, and maybe even continental drift are influenced by the fact that the largest satellite among the terrestrial plants of our solar system is so close to the earth's surface.

_________________Jim Lewis - lewisjk@windstream.net - Western NC - People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician